PRESS RELEASE Thursday 10th October, 2012
Empowerment for Peace Theatre Day
Friday 2nd November, 2012
Ramelton Town Hall, Ramelton, Co. Donegal
An innovative arts programme using drama and theatre to promote a respect for human rights as a key stepping stone for peace building, non-violence and an end to racism and sectarianism in Donegal and on a cross-border basis.
Smashing Times Theatre Company with support from the European Regional Development Fund is delighted to announce the Empowerment for Peace theatre day. This day-long creative seminar is part of Smashing Times’ Creative Connections project, which is one of eleven Cross Border Cross Community Grant Scheme projects funded by the PEACE III programme through the Donegal CDB Peace and Reconciliation Partnership. (Full details on all projects are outlined on the programme website, www.donegalcdb.ie/peaceiii.)
Creative Connections uses drama and theatre to promote arespect for human rightsas a key stepping stone for peace building and non-violence and an end to racism and sectarianism in Donegal and on a cross-border basis. As part of the project, Smashing Times Theatre Company has provided free drama workshops to community groups across Donegal since the summer, with more workshops being offered over the coming months. If your community group (youth or adult) would like to host workshops or a performance, contact Elaine on +353 (0)1 8656613 or email .
In addition to this, Empowerment for Peace, a theatre day for adults from Donegal, Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh, will take place on Friday November 2nd in the Town Hall in Ramelton, Co. Donegal. The day will consist of a drama workshop with theatre facilitator Idan Meir, Combatants for Peace, a rehearsed reading of a professional play as a work-in-progress by actor Adam Traynor and a facilitated post-reading discussion with experienced good-relations facilitator Jim Arbuckle. Through the day, Smashing Times Theatre Company aims to provide participants with training in drama techniques to promote anti-racism, anti-sectarianism and gender equality.
This event is being delivered as part of Donegal CDB Peace and Reconciliation Partnership’s One Donegal Cultural Diversity Month – Embracing and Celebrating Diversity. For further details about events being run throughout November 2012 as part of this initiative please contact Sarah Thompson, Good Relations Officer, Donegal County Council on (074) 9172586/087 9232543 or or keep up to date via their WebPages www.donegalcdb.ie/peaceiii.
Elaine Cronin, Project Coordinator for Smashing Times Theatre, said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for those with an interest in drama and performance to participate in a high-quality workshop, see a professional actor read a new play in development, and take part in an in-depth post-reading discussion. Those present will have the unique opportunity of moulding what this professional performance becomes.”
While booking is required, the day is free to attend and lunch will be provided. Participants do not need to have any previous experience of drama to take part. Places for the theatre day are limited. To book, contact Elaine on +353 (0)1 8656613 or email . Group bookings from community and theatre/drama groups are very welcome.
Date: Friday, November 2nd, 2012
Times: 10.30 to 16.00
Location: Town Hall, Ramelton, Co. Donegal
Suitable for: Adults
Cost: Free (including lunch)
Booking: Places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book, and for further details, email or call Smashing Times Theatre Company on +353 (0)1 8656613
Notes to the editor:
The Creative Connections Project is delivered by Smashing Times Theatre Company and is supported by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Donegal County Council.
Smashing Times Theatre Company is a professional theatre company involved in professional performance, training and participation. The work of the company is underpinned by a rights-based approach and a commitment to artistic excellence and social engagement. The company has three profile patrons – including Brian Friel, Tim Pat Coogan and Robert Kee. Smashing Times is supported by Dublin City Council Arts Office.
For more information on Smashing Times please visit www.smashingtimes.ie
The PEACE III Programme is a distinctive programme part-funded by the European Union (€225 million from the EU with further national contributions of €108 million) through its Structural Funds programme. The full title of the PEACE III Programme is the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. The programme covers the period 2007-2013. The main aims of the PEACE III Programme are to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation by assisting operations and projects which help to reconcile communities and contribute towards a shared society for everyone.
For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.ie
Donegal County Council, as Lead Partner of the Donegal CDB Peace & Reconciliation Partnership, has been awarded funding of €4,737,600 by the Special European Union Programmes Body under the PEACE III Programme for the implementation of Phase II of theDonegal PEACE III Action Plan 2011 – 2013, which was formulated following a widespread public consultation process in 2010. A range of actions have been set out in the Action Plan, focussed on building better relations at a local level by challenging attitudes towards racism and sectarianism, promoting greater community integration within Donegal and on a cross border basis, promoting active participation in civil life by those who were most affected by the conflict, and supporting conflict resolution and mediation initiatives addressing the legacy of the conflict. This is the second tranche of funding allocated under the PEACE III Programme to Donegal County Council. €4,737,600 was awarded for Phase I of the PEACE III Programme for the period 2008 – 2010.
For more information on the Donegal CDB Peace & Reconciliation Partnership see www.donegalcdb.ie/peaceiii or contact Sarah Thompson, PEACE III Good Relations Officer, on or +353 (0)74 9172586.
Attached images:
Images of previous Smashing Times participatory workshops.
2012_SmashingTimes_Workshop_1.jpg
2012_SmashingTimes_Workshop_2.jpg
2012_SmashingTimes_Workshop_3.jpg
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/ The Creative Connections Project is supported by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Donegal County Council.